Electromagnetically operated counter



K. H. HARTKORN 3,112,068 I ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED COUNTER Nov. 26, 1963 Filed Aug. 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII TIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIA Inventor Kori Heinz Hartkorn Attorneys Nov. 26, 1963 K. H. HARTKORN 3,112,068

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED comma Filed Aug. 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2.

Nov. 26, 1963 K. H. HARTKORN 3,112,068

ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED COUNTER Filed Aug. 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 AHOrney s Nov. 26, 1963' K. H. HARTKORN 3,112,068

ELECTROMAGNETiCALLY OPERATED COUNTER Filed Aug. 16, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fig.6

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Inventor Karl Heinz Hort korn Attorneys Nov. 26, 1963 K. H. HARTKORN ELECTROMAGNETICALLY OPERATED COUNTER 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 16. 1961 Inven'or Karl Heinz Hortkorn Attorneys United States Patent 3,112,068 ELECTROMAGNETICALLY GPERATED COUNTER Karl Heinz Hartkorn, Bahnstrasse 18, Stockdorl, near Munich, Germany Filed Aug. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 131,777 Claims priority, application Germany Sept. 23, 1960 4 Claims. (Cl. 235-137) The present invention relates to electromagnetic mechanical counters for high switching frequencies with one wheel for each decade.

Electromagnetic counters are known in which an electromagnet, controlled by a pulse sender, controls a usual mechanical counting mechanism by aid of a stepping mechanism.

These prior art devices have the disadvantage that the commanding magnet and the stepping mechanism connected to it need considerable [forces on simultaneous carry-over through many decades, especially in counters constructed with many decades, such as is necessary when counting from 99,999 to 100,000". Therefore, the magnet and the stepping mechanism must be constructed in a solid manner. The construction units must be relatively heavy, making high frequencies of switching impossible.

Electronic counters able to operate on very high counting frequencies are also known. Such counters cannot be compared to electro mechanical counters, however, because of their expensive construction.

The mentioned disadvantages of the prior art counters are avoided in the present invention by providing electromagnetic stepping mechanisms-one for actuating each of the several denominational order counter wheels.

This enables the moved masses of each of these single stepping mechanisms to be made very small in size since each stepping mechanism has only to operate one single counter wheel. This enables a relatively high counting frequency in the counter, according to the invention.

In the present electromagnetic counter, the electromagnet actuating the first counter wheel is controlled by an electric pulse sender. On the counter wheel a contact is provided which, after each turn of said wheel, or after each decade, effects the switching onwards of or carry over to the counter wheel succeeding the counting process (the next higher denominational order counter wheel) by releasing an electric current pulse.

The construction of the individual counter wheels with their stepping mechanisms and operating magnets may be preferably the same, thus eflfecting advantages in production and mounting.

In the present invention, the stepping mechanism may consist of a ratchet wheel coacting with a two-armed pawl member which is pivotally supported about an axis which is preferably parallel to the axis of the ratchet wheel. For the oscillating movement of the two-armed pawl member, an elect-romagnet and a return spring are provided.

With this construction of the stepping mechanism, according to the invention, only one member, constituting the armature as well as the pawls, is required for exact and quick advancing of the ratchet wheel.v

In the present invention, the pawl member has two projections which, upon operation of said pawl member by means of the electromagnet, engage alternatively with the ratchet wheel, and move said ratchet wheel gradually onwards by a gliding movement at the faces of the teeth. Thus, when the magnet is attracting, approximately half the switching travel of the ratchet wheel is efiected by one arm of the pawl member. At the end of the electric pulse, the pawl member is restored to its initial position by means of a return spring. During pawl restoration, the

Patented Nov. 26, 1963 other arm of the pawl member engages the ratchet wheel and effects the second half of the switching travel.

The two arms of the pawl member are constructed so that they embrace a part of the circumference of the ratchet wheel. The circumferential spacings of the projections about the axis of rotation of the ratchet member which cause the meshing are different. The difference in spacing may correspond approximately to one half of the pitch of the ratchet wheel such as where the ratchet wheel is constructed in such a way that the projections causing the meshing engage at substantially diametrically opposite points of said ratchet wheel.

The pawl member may also be so constructed that it embraces less than one half of the ratchet wheel. In this case, the switching projections of the pawl are so arranged that the distance between said projections is overlapping n+ /2 pitches of the ratchet wheel.

The construction of the pawl member ensures that it is necessary to move only very small moving masses upon switching-on. Furthermore, all separate pawls, springs and the like, movably arranged at the movable pawl member, are avoided in the present invention so that a very high reliability is achieved by the stepping mechanism.

The stepping mechanisms of the individual counter wheels may be also equipped with two separately pivoted pawls acting on the same ratchet wheel, said pawls being arranged at such a distance apart around the circumference of the ratchet wheel that, when the operating magnet ac-ts, one pawl eflfects approximately half a switching travel of the counter wheel. When the armature moves back, the other pawl effects the rest of the switching travel.

A spring may be provided for return movement of the switch armature into its normal position after the electromagnet is operated. This spring may be preferably in the form of a laminated spring and may consist of a material containing essentially beryllium. Springs of this kind have proved to be especially fatigue-resistant.

In order to enable the return movement of the individual counter wheels into their zero position, a further contact, actuated by a cam, may be provided. Said contact opens in the zero position of the counter wheel at each counter wheel.

A switch may be provided for releasing the return movement of the complete counter into its zero position. When operated, this switch separates the counter from the pulse sender and simultaneously connects all stepping mechanisms to an alternating voltage, by means of their contacts, for return movement. This ensures that all counter wheels turn with the frequency of the alternating voltage so long as their return movement contacts are open causing the counter wheels to stop in their zero position.

At the switch for releasing the back movement, an electromagnet may also be provided. Said electromagnet is connected with the contacts [for return of the individual counter wheels and keeps the switch in its working position until the contacts. for return movement of all counter wheels have opened. After all such contacts have opened, the switch releases and returns in its rest position. By this action, the connection with the electric pulse sender is reestablished, and the counter is ready for a new count.

In some fields of application of electromechanical counters, the possibility of forward and backward counting is wanted. For this purpose, two stepping mechanisms acting in opposite directions may be coordinated with each counter wheel in an electromagnetic counter, each stepping mechanism corresponding to one direction of turning for the counter wheel. By means of an electromagnet, whichever of the pawls of the stepping mechanism that are out of action can be disengaged with the corresponding switch wheel at the corresponding moment.

The counter wheels may also be connected to contact disks in which one contact, preferably caused to slide by a switch arm, is coordinated with each numeral position. Such contact disks enable the use of the counting device for: (a) numeral storage, (b) transmission of the position of the counter to distant places or (c) the electric scanning of their corresponding position. Such contact disks may alsobe substituted for the counter wheels.

Several counter wheels may be assembled to one counter or the like and each record of the counter may be electrically scanned and transmitted to data-recording apparatuses, such as accounting machines.

The counter wheel may be constructed as a hollow cylinder open at one side and inside of which a further stationary cylinder is coaxially arranged. On the mantle face of each contact member is provided a spring contact fixed in the interior of the counter wheel slides. These contacts are arranged in such a manner that one of them, coordinated to a certain position of the counter wheel, is always closed.

The contact spring carying the rotating contact may be bent approximately semicircularly and may extend in circumferential direction between the inner face of the counter wheel and the mantle of the stationary contact cylinder.

The contact spring may be pre-loaded so that when the counter wheel is rapidly turned (as, for example, during continued switching onwards), it moves away from the contact cylinder, or at least rests on the cylinder with reduced sliding pressure due to the centrifugal force action on it. Considerably reduced wear of the slide contact results in this construction.

A counter consisting of counter wheels can be used (in automatic accounting machines, for example) in which the counterafter receiving several pulses-is electrically scanned in its position by an accounting machine. Further pulses may thereafter be given and it can be scanned again at any moment. The scanned counter positions may then be entered correspondingly in the accounting machine.

The accompanying drawings show several embodiments of the invention, in which:

, FIGURE 1 shows an electromagnetic counter provided with a stepping mechanism constructed according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 shows the stepping mechanism per so on an enlarged scale;

FIGURE 3 shows a perspective view of a counter wheel equipped with stepping mechanism and commanding magnet;

FIGURE 4 shows a counter wheel combined wtih a contact disk;

FIGURE 5 shows a cross-sectional view of FIGURE 4 along plane J-K;

FIGURE 6 shows such a cross-sectional view along plane LM;

FIGURE 7 shows a counter wheel in a side view, a partial cross-sectional view;

FIGURE 8 shows the same counter wheel seen in axial direction;

FIGURE 9 shows a plan view of a siX-digit-counter with a switch for back movement.

In particular, the counter wheel 1 with a switch wheel 2 is shown in FIGURE 1. The switch member 3 engages the switch wheel alternately from two sides. The switch member 3 oscillates around the axis of rotation 4. Said movement is caused by the magnet coil 5 in connection with the armature 6 arranged on the switch member 3. The armature 6 may be formed by a bent lug of the switch member 3. The return movement of the switch member 3, after the electric pulse has finished, is elfected by the return spring 7 and formed as a laminated spring consisting of a material containing beryllium. The switch member 3 has two arms 8 and 9 engaging the switch wheel 2 from two sides. The engagement per se is effected by projections 10 and 11 arranged in a tooth-like manner at the arms 8 and 9.

At the counter wheel 1, two arms 12 and 13 are provided for actuating two contacts 14 and 15. The contact 14 releases the pulse for switching onwards of an adjacent counter wheel in a multi-digit counter. The contact 15, when opening, terminates the return movement or zero reset process of the counter. A further contact 16, actuated by the switch member 3, may be used for retransmission of the switch pulse.

FIGURE 2 shows the stepping mechanism shown in FIGURE 1, but on an enlarged scale. The reference numerals correspond to those of FIGURE 1. In FIGURE 2 both end positions of the switch member 3 can be seen, one stroke (that is, one oscillating movement of the switch member 3 round the rotation axis 4) corresponding to the switching onwards of one figure by action of the switch wheel. Thus, the projection 11 upon the arm 9 snaps in the switch wheel 2 which is moved for approximately half a switch step, after which the second half of the switch travel is effected by the projection 10 upon the arm 8.

FIGURE 3 shows an electromagnet 18 fixed in the frame 17 and consisting of two coils. At the free end of movable armature 19 of the magnet 18 are provided two movable pawls, 20 and 21, which are kept in engagement with the switch wheel 23 by means of the tension spring 22.

The counter wheel 24 is connected to the switch wheel 23. The switch wheel and the counter wheel are turnably supported upon the shaft 25. Reference numeral 26 designates the switch moved by the counter wheel, said switch serving for control of the subsequent digit. The contact 27 opens in zero position of the counter wheel and starts to function when the return movement or zero reset device is actuated.

The armature 19 is connected to the frame 18 by a laminated spring 28 which effects the return movement of the armature away from the magnet coil. Furthermore, an opening 23 is arranged within the frame 17. Through opening 29 can be seen the numerals on the counter wheel in accordance with the switching position.

An auxiliary contact 30 closes when the armature is attracted.

FIGURE 4 shows a counter wheel 31 with stepping mechanism 32 and a contact disk 33. The contact arm 34 rotates with the counter wheel 31 and is thereby conductively connected to the individual contacts of the com tact disk 33 according to the position of the counter wheel.

FIGURE 5 shows a cross-sectional view along plane 1-K in FIGURE 4 and shows the contact disks 33 to gether with the contact arm 34 in a top plan view.

FIGURE 6 shows a cross-sectional view, LM, of FIGURE 4. This figure shows the pawls 35 and 36 of the stepping mechanism 32 provided with the switch wheel 37.

In FIGURE 7 the cylindrical counter wheel 38 is shown in the interior hole for which cylindrical member 39 is concentrically and stationarily provided. At the periphery of said stationary cylindrical member 39 are arranged contact parts 40 which correspond to the numerals at the circumference of the counter wheel. Over contact parts 40 slides a sliding contact 41 fixed in the interior of the counter wheel 38.

The counter wheel 38 is connected to switch wheel 42. The individual contact parts 40 are outwardly extended and form soldering lugs 43. A further sliding contact cylinder 44, turning with the counter wheel, acts in conjunction with an additional contact member. For enabling certain other sWitchings a sliding contact 45 coacting with the contact cylinder may be provided. The contact springs 45 and 46 of the sliding contacts 41 and 44 are bent approximately semicircularly and extend into the space between the contact cylinder 39 and the counter wheel 38. In order to protect the sliding contact 44, a protecting casing 47 of insulating material may be provided on the counter wheel 38.

The cams 48 and 49 are arranged on the outer circumference of the counter wheel 38 and serve for actuation of relay contacts (not shown), thereby effecting the switching onwards of the adjacent digit or the return movement into zero position of a counter. One digit of said counter is formed by the counter wheel shown.

FIGURE 8 shows the side view of FIGURE 7. The reference numerals applied correspond to those in FIG- URE 7.

FIGURE 9, in perspective view, shows a six-digitcounter consisting, preferably, of six individual counters 5t and of a switch 51 for back movement.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A plural order electromagnetically actuated counter comprising a plurality of identically and interchangeably constructed counter sub-assemblies, each of said counter sub-assemblies comprising a counter Wheel forming one denominational order in a plural order num ber, and an electromagnetic stepping switch mechanism for advancing said counter wheel, said electromagnetic stepping switch mechanism comprising electromagnetic means, an armature attracted by energization of said electromagnetic means, means for advancing said counter wheel by one-half of a counting step upon attraction of said armature and further for advancing said counter wheel through the latter half of the counting step by release of said armature, and carry-over means for transmitting an electrical pulse to energize the electromagnetic means of the next higher order counter sub-assembly, said counter wheel and said armature constituting the only movable components of each of said counter sub-assemblies.

2. The plural order electromagnetically actuated counter defined in claim 1 wherein each of said counter sub-assemblies comprises an auxiliary contact, means for opening said contact when said counter wheel is in zero position and means operable when said auxiliary contact is closed to re-set said counter wheel to zero position by application of a pulse establishing alternating current.

3. The plural order electromagnetically actuated counter defined in claim 1 wherein each of said counter sub-assemblies is provided with electrical scanning means for determining the setting of said counter wheel, said scanning means comprising a fixedly mounted cylinder disposed in coaxial relationship with the rotational axis of said counter wheel, a plurality of stationary contact members, means mounting said stationary contact members about the periphery of said cylinder, a contact element rotatable with said counter wheel and slidable over said stationary contact members for each counter wheel position, a contact spring fixed to the interior of said counter wheel and biasing said contact element into engagement with said stationary contact members, said spring being bent approximately semicircularly and extending in a circumferential direction between said counter wheel and said cylinder.

4. A counter as claimed in claim 3 in which the contact spring is loaded so that it moves away from the contact cylinder upon rapid turning because of centrifugal force.

References Cited in the file of this patent OTHER REFERENCES Spring Design and Selection in Brief; pamphlet, copyright 1956 by Associated Spring Corporation, Bristol, Connecticut. 

1. A PLURAL ORDER ELECTROMAGNETICALLY ACTUATED COUNTER COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF IDENTICALLY AND INTERCHANGEABLY CONSTRUCTED COUNTER SUB-ASSEMBLIES, EACH OF SAID COUNTER SUB-ASSEMBLIES COMPRISING A COUNTER WHEEL FORMING ONE DENOMINATIONAL ORDER IN A PLURAL ORDER NUMBER, AND AN ELECTROMAGNETIC STEPPING SWITCH MECHANISM FOR ADVANCING SAID COUNTER WHEEL, SAID ELECTROMAGNETIC STEPPING SWITCH MECHANISM COMPRISING ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS, AN ARMATURE ATTRACTED BY ENERGIZATION OF SAID ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS, MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID COUNTER WHEEL BY ONE-HALF OF A COUNTING STEP UPON ATTRACTION OF SAID ARMATURE AND FURTHER FOR ADVANCING SAID COUNTER WHEEL THROUGH THE LATTER HALF OF THE COUNTING STEP BY RELEASE OF SAID ARMATURE, AND CARRY-OVER MEANS FOR TRANSMITTING AN ELECTRICAL PULSE TO ENERGIZE THE ELECTROMAGNETIC MEANS OF THE NEXT HIGHER ORDER COUNTER SUB-ASSEMBLY, SAID COUNTER WHEEL AND SAID ARMATURE CONSTITUTING THE ONLY MOVABLE COMPONENTS OF EACH OF SAID COUNTER SUB-ASSEMBLIES. 